A Redemptive Headline

Kodak Black is a rap artist. You may have heard his name as one of the individuals released from prison via an 11th hour commutation by President Donald Trump just before he left office on January 20th. 

Kodak Black is also known to have a charitable spirit and in response to the murder of two FBI agents in Sunrise, Florida who were seeking to apprehend a suspect in a child trafficking case, Kodak Black sat down and wrote a letter. He sent that letter to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Miami office offering to pay for the college education of the now 3 year old child left behind by Agent Alfin and the 4 and 9 year old children of Agent Schwartzenberger.

A man redeemed is doing what he can to sow redemption into the lives of others. How might that inspire us today to be agents of redemption in this world that God so loves?

Today’s Guests

Justin Giboney – The And Campaign

The ACLU plans to push a reparation bill related to racial injustice. Many of Biden’s appointees focus on areas of civil rights, particularly those in the Justice Department. Biden has a Rescue plan for America and seeks to cut childhood poverty in half. Justin recommends a book to us in light of Black History Month: “Reading While Black: African American Biblical Interpretation as an Exercise in Hope.” All these and more are on the docket for Justin and Carmen today!

Josh Irby – Former Missionary to Sarajevo and author of “Cross on a Hill”

Carmen and Josh discuss his article posted at the Gospel Coalition titled: An American Repatriate.  The article covers he and his family’s experience coming home from the Balkans after 11 years. He reminds us that though we may love various countries including our own, we are first of all, citizens of God’s kingdom.

Today’s Episode

https://nwmedia-ondemand.streamguys1.com/mornings-with-carmen/20210209112009-02-09-2021-Mornings-with-Carmen-HR2.mp3

 

Citizenship

“The UAE announced in late January that it would allow some prominent foreigners to become Emirati citizens. Experts explain this as an attempt to prepare the country’s economy for a post-oil world and rebrand it as a global multicultural hub that values diversity. As a first step, we should expect movie stars and industry giants to receive citizenship offers.”

 https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/expect-emirati-zuckerberg-pitt-following-naturalization-law-658336

Christian Citizenship

Kings and kingdoms

I Peter 2:9-10

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

 

Today’s Guests

Michael Craven – Colson Center & Breakpoint

Michael joins us to talk about whole-life discipleship particularly in relation to those facing poverty. He also leads us through a Breakpoint article titled, The Myth of Race and Why It’s Harmful. For more information on personhood, check out Carmen’s previous conversation with Carl Trueman and his book, “The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self: Cultural Amnesia, Expressive Individualism, and the Road to Sexual Revolution” Finally, Michael elaborates for us what the work of the Colson Center does to equip Christians for this cultural moment.

Jonathan Pitts – Author of “My Wynter Season Seeing God’s Faithfulness in the Shadow of Grief”

Grief can be expected and unexpected. In Jonathan’s case, grief came swiftly with the sudden death of his wife Wynter. He and his four daughters were left without a wife and mom and with a great question: “How could a loving God allow this unspeakable loss?” Jonathan joins us today to unpack this question and the answers God given him, alongside the promise Christ’s resurrection, “that death is not the end.”

For more information on his book and other information about Jonathan go to Jonathanpitts.net

Today’s Episode

https://nwmedia-ondemand.streamguys1.com/mornings-with-carmen/20210209111016-02-09-2021-Mornings-with-Carmen-HR1.mp3

 

Super Bowl LV

Many expressions of faith and many things to celebrate – not least of which for this Tampa-girl is the Bucs’ victory. 

Toyota and Jeep won the night with advertisements worth watching.

Toyota’s ad featured paralympic swimmer Jessica Long who was born in Siberia and whose legs were amputated before she was adopted by an American family. It is nothing short of inspiring. 

And then late in the game the much anticipated ad featuring Bruce Springsteen. It’s called The Middle and it was filmed in the middle of America – Kansas, Colorado and Nebraska to be precise. It calls us to ourselves and to one another, to be the Re-United States of America and it provides good fodder for those who want to take seriously God’s calling that we should serve as ministers of reconciliation. 

Super Bowl Ministry

There was a also a Super Bowl ministry event on Saturday morning hosted by Benjamin Watson and Tony Dungy. And Demario Davis was honored with the Bart Star Award. 

Damario and Tamela are a brother and sister in Christ whose story you should know:

https://www.nola.com/sports/saints/article_6a52b904-1934-11eb-8969-d777f3656972.html

From the Saturday morning ministry event:

https://www.christianpost.com/news/nfls-demario-davis-honored-for-leadership-ahead-of-super-bowl.html

Today’s Guests

Matthew Soerens – World Relief & Evangelical Immigration Table

Matthew is the U.S. Director of Church Mobilization & Advocacy for World Relief and is also the National Coordinator for the Evangelical Immigration Table. He joins us to discuss the Biden administration change to refugee related laws, particularly the cap on them entering the country. Matthew also helps us understand the difference between refugees and immigrants and what it looks like to help refugees resettle. For more information and tools for caring for refugees, check out the books and conversations below.

Books:

* “Welcoming the Stranger: Justice, Compassion & Truth in the Immigration Debate” by Matthew Soerens and Jenny Yang.

* “Seeking Refuge: On the Shores of the Global Refugee Crisis” by Stephan Bauman.

Conversations: https://reconnectwithcarmen.com/tag/refugees/

Tara Beth Leach – Author of “Radiant Church”

“Radiant Church: Restoring the Credibility of Our Witness” discusses the erosion of the North American church’s witness and rather than pointing the finger outwardly, Tara Beth points the finger back toward the church. She does so with love for the church and a desire to see Christians “rediscover a robust, attractive witness” while repenting and leaning into what Jesus said the church would become, his spotless bride. For more information on her book, go to https://www.ivpress.com/radiant-church

Today’s Episode

Where in the Word Are You Today?

Romans 11 & 16 contain doxologies – glory words

Yesterday, my pastor Scott Patty, preached on one of these doxologies, particularly Romans 11:33-36 and the idea that theology leads to doxology (glory words). Here is a link to the church website and sermon: website & sermon.

Romans 11:33-36

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! “For who has known the mind of the Lord,or who has been his counselor? “Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?” For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.

Romans 16:25-26 :

“To him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery … according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith.”

Here is a link to a devotional about the Romans 16 doxology above: devotional link.

Finally, the doxology that many of us sing together with our church:

Praise God from whom all blessings flow; 

Praise Him all creatures, here below, 

Praise Him above the heavenly host, 

Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost, 

Amen.

Today’s Guests

Zach Jenkins – Cedarville University

If you’ve been with our show for any length this year, you may have noticed that Zach joins us on Mondays to discuss the headlines surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic. This week is no different. He covers the topics surrounding variants of the virus, vaccine effectiveness, deaths caused by the virus and more.

Adam Carrington – Hillsdale College

Another of our regular guests, Adam Carrington is back on today. He moves us into the realm of U.S. politics and particularly covers a Supreme Court ruling relating to churches in California, the internal struggles of the GOP and Democratic parties, and Senator Romney’s child allowance plan. For these topics and more, check out the episode audio link below!

Today’s Episode

https://nwmedia-ondemand.streamguys1.com/mornings-with-carmen/20210208104009-02-08-2021-Mornings-with-Carmen-HR1.mp3

 

Today’s Guests

Peter Kapsner – 50 Shades of Truth

The San Francisco school board is kicking out out Washington and Lincoln as school names for 44 schools. Carmen and Peter use this a a kickoff point to discuss a variety of issues and joys for the Christian as we walk in the culture of the day.

Preston Sprinkle – Author of “Embodied”

“Embodied: Transgender Identities, the Church and What the Bible Has to Say” is a guide for Christians who are trying to understand gender identity from a Biblical mindset. One major question the book tries to answer is, “If someone experiences incongruence between their biological sex and their internal sense of self, which one determines who they are – and why?” For more information on Preston’s book, click here.

Today’s Episode

https://nwmedia-ondemand.streamguys1.com/mornings-with-carmen/20210204102006-02-04-2021-Mornings-with-Carmen-HR2.mp3

 

The Golden Rule

Let’s remind ourselves of what Jesus had to say which has become known as the Golden Rule the world around.

It comes at verse 12 of Matthew 7 in the context of what we call the Sermon on the Mount.

To get the full context, read Matthew chapters 5-7 or at least the entirety of chapter 7. In this case, we’re going to pluck the verse out of context and remind ourselves of the Golden Rule according to Jesus: “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.”

Did you catch that last part? Jesus says that doing unto others as we would have them do unto us is a summary of the Law and the Prophets.

Listeners would have heard an echo effect to Jesus’ use of that phrase in two other places and ways. Earlier in what Matthew records as the Sermon on the Mount we witness Jesus revealing himself as the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets and in Matthew 22:40 he identifies the Greatest commandment, the OT Shema, to love God with all that we are, all that we have and all that we do as containing all the Law and the Prophets. 

So, when you hear someone co-opting and utilizing a Bible reference today, feel free to share with them the origin of the Golden Rule, the Greatest commandment, the Good Samaritan, and yes, the greatest betrayal of all time. 

Let’s be the people who hear Bible references in our culture then say, “Hey do you know where that comes from?” 

Today’s Guests

Ben Johnson – The Acton Institute

 We are fifteen days into President Biden’s first 100 days in office. Are Ben Johnson’s predictions about President Biden’s actions still holding up? Carmen asks him to weigh in. She also has him weigh in on Denmark’s new legislation that may impact religious freedom across the whole of Europe. 

Matthew Soerens – World Relief & Evangelical Immigration Table

President Biden has signed some immigration Executive orders and Matthew joins us to discuss those. He also helps us understand the refugee crisis around the world and what the numbers actually mean. Quick fact: over half of all refugees are kids.

Today’s Episode

https://nwmedia-ondemand.streamguys1.com/mornings-with-carmen/20210204100009-02-04-2021-Mornings-with-Carmen-HR1.mp3

 

Alexei Navalny

Alexei Navalny, the prominent Russian opposition leader, was formally sentenced to two years and eight months in a penal colony for violating the terms of his probation. Navalny called the “show trial” a “demonstration of weakness,” and urged his supporters, who once again took to the streets after the sentencing, to keep the faith: “They can’t arrest the entire country.”

Navalny’s statement was significant for its content but also for what he said about himself and the power of fear. Here are some links to articles that cover the story: 

NY Times Navalny Article

CNBC Navalny Article

Some Other Business & Economic Headlines

* Jeff Bezos is stepping down from the helm of Amazon as CEO into a role titled Executive Chair

* Amazon’s flagship headquarters 2 building, the Helix, is truly beautiful and is being proposed to be built in Arlington, Virginia.

Today’s Guests

John Brandon – Forbes Columnist and Digital Media Director for Northwestern Media

John Brandon has been many places within the media industry. To mention a few, he has been at Fox News Network, Inc. Magazine, and the Entrepreneur magazine. Today he talks with us about a new social media app called “Clubhouse” and gives tells us about some books that make one think and ponder. Check out more info about him here: Josh Brandon Info Link, and the books mentioned here: Josh Brandon Books That Will Make You Think and Ponder.

Kelly Flanagan – Author of “True Companions”

“True Companions: A Book for Everyone About the Relationships That See Us Through” is “More than a marriage book, [it] is a companionship book.” It is made for parents, singles, divorced, married, old and young, siblings and friends to help everyone flourish in their most important relationships. For more information about Dr. Flanagan and the book, click this link: DrKellyFlanagan.com.

Today’s Episode

https://nwmedia-ondemand.streamguys1.com/mornings-with-carmen/20210203103011-02-03-2021-Mornings-with-Carmen-HR2.mp3

 

Where in the Word are you today? 

Lots of conversations in the culture about identity. So who is this Jesus about whom we make so much fuss?

Everyone has an opinion about Jesus but what does Jesus say about himself? 

John records several “I am” statements by Jesus. Let’s look at those as one way of seeing Jesus for who he really is. 

 

Let us remember that as we proceed into this day as those who are one with Christ in the same way He was one with the Father. And let us not be surprised when that comes as an offense to those who do not believe. 

 

Today’s Guests

Daryl Crouch – Green Hill Church/Cross Tied Blog

“Racism is sin and a sinfulness.” “It is not simply a social ill or an issue for some people. This is a Gospel issue and a Gospel proclamation issue.” Why are we talking about race? Well, Daryl wrote on his Cross Tied Blog an article about one of Martin Luther King Jr.’s letters. Daryl titled it,  A Jailhouse Letter that Changed a Nation. We must talk about this issue of racism because the issue is a sin problem and we must expect healing in that issue to take time.

Andrew MacDonald – Billy Graham Center/ Wheaton College

QAnon theories & other conspiracy theories have made their way into the Church. We must handle these with truth. Andrew helps us to walk through the headlines associated with these and apply the mind of Christ to them in our own lives and in our churches.

 

Today’s Episode

https://nwmedia-ondemand.streamguys1.com/mornings-with-carmen/20210203102008-02-03-2021-Mornings-with-Carmen-HR1.mp3

 

If We’re Going to Fear, We Fear No Evil

Headlines today related to vaccines that are missing, the prosecution of a pharmacist in Wisconsin who destroyed vaccines because he believes they are designed to make people infertile and implant microchips, the national distribution of ALL vaccines now – withholding nothing for second doses, and the rising fears of new strains while the desire for kids to return to school is putting teachers at odds with school districts and parents. The cause? COVID19. Everyone is tired of it and lots of people are tired of talking about it, but here we are, a year in, with the near miraculous news of multiple vaccines AND numbers of infections and deaths worldwide and here at home that are quite sobering. 

What’s driving the fear?

What drives YOUR fear? 

There is Healthy and unhealthy fear; faithful and faithless fear.

To fear God is the beginning of wisdom. Proverbs 9:10

What does that mean?

Here are two resources below that may help us unpack what that means. The first is from the Gospel Coalition Podcast and the second is by Carmen, herself.

Source 1: Gospel Coalition Podcast Link

Source 2:

Click to access fearless-faith-1-2010.pdf

 

Today’s Guests

Dr. Brett Nicks – Christian Medical & Dental Association

Dr. Nicks helps us to understand the current events surrounding the Covid-19 virus including vaccine updates, variants, and school reopening studies.

Arden Bevere – Author of “Re-Defined”

Arden is the cofounder of Sons & Daughters, a group committed to creating a generation of disciples of Christ bent on changing the world. He wants to help bring his generation to new Christ-exalting heights. His book, “Re-Defined: Confronting the Labels That Limit Us,” is meant to do just that – teach millenials to cast off limiting labels such as “lazy” and “entitled” and put on what God calls us: sons and daughters. For more information on this book and his work, go to: Re-Defined Book Link, SonsAndDaughters.tv, and his Instagram: @beverearden.

Today’s Episode

https://nwmedia-ondemand.streamguys1.com/mornings-with-carmen/20210202102007-02-02-2021-Mornings-with-Carmen-HR2.mp3

 

Groundhog Day

Punxsutawney Phil is not the only weather predicting groundhog in America, just the most famous, thanks to Clymer Freas, who was the editor of the Punxsutawney Spirit newspaper in 1886. On February 2, 1886, Freas issued the following proclamation:

“Today is groundhog day and up to the time of going to press the beast has not seen its shadow.”

Freas also declared Phil to be the only true weather-forecasting groundhog.  By the way, Phil’s full name is; “Punxsutawney Phil, Seer of Seers, Sage of Sages, Prognosticator of Prognosticators, and Weather Prophet Extraordinary.”

 

How might this be connected to the Bible?

Forty days after Jesus was born his parents took him to the Temple: “When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took Him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord.” Luke 2:22.  The date is always February 2nd because it is exactly 40 days (inclusive) after Christmas on December 25th. The Mosaic law stated that 40 days was the period of purification after the birth of a child, and so the presentation took place 40 days after Jesus was born. Incidentally, February 2nd is also halfway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox, so the date has always had significance for those whose faith is placed in the movements of planets and stars.

So, how did the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple become Groundhog Day?

 

Today’s Guests

Nick Pitts – Fellow at the Institute for Global Engagement

It’s discussions about politics and also the SuperBowl today with Nick Pitts. He and Carmen discuss some of the riffs in the GOP as well as the faith of the Kansas City Chiefs’ ownership.

Luke Moon – PhilosProject.org

There was a military coup in Myanmar following an attempted democratic election. The UK has opened up a path for citizenship for Hong Kong refugees. Russia is under tension as many of its people are protesting the imprisonment of Navalny. These topics and more are on the docket for our conversation with Luke Moon.

Today’s Episode

https://nwmedia-ondemand.streamguys1.com/mornings-with-carmen/20210202100007-02-02-2021-Mornings-with-Carmen-HR1.mp3